Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Aksum: No Questions
Authors:
Cindy Bloom (cindyLNB@aol.com)
Kim Adams (candkadams@aol.com)
Lesson Overview: Students will map the rise
and fall of an ancient African empire and
explain factors contributing to these.
Essential Questions:
What is the difference between a
kingdom, civilization, and empire?
What factors can cause the rise and
fall of a civilization?
Objectives: Students will:
Describe the components of a
kingdom, civilization, and empire
Describe the factors that can
contribute to the fall of a
kingdom/civilization/empire
Create a timeline of Aksum events
Map the rise and fall of Aksum
Subject/Grade Level: World
History/Geography, 6-12
Duration: 1-2 class periods
Student Materials: Colored pencils,
Student worksheets (timeline
activity mapping activity),
student atlases
Map of NE Africa/SW Asia
Teacher Materials: Teacher background
notes
References:
CIA Factbook,
www.historyteacher.net
,
archeology.about.com/od/ethiopia/Et
hiopian_Culture_History_and_Arche
ology.htm
Michigan High School Content Expectations
World History and Geography
4.3.1 - Africa to 1500 - Describe the diverse
characteristics of early African societies and the
significant changes in African society by
comparing and contrasting at least two of the
major state/civilizations of East, South, and
West Africa in terms of environmental
economic, religious, political, and social
structures.
National Geography Standards:
Standard 11: The patterns and networks of
economic interdependence on Earth’s surface
National World History Standards:
Explain the connections between maritime trade
and the power of the Kingdom of Aksum in
Northeast Africa.
Modes of Spatial/Temporal Thinking:
Region: Identify groups of places that are close
to each other and have similar conditions and
connections.
Comparison: Compare maps from different
times, describe changes in the extent of
something and predict possible future spread or
shrinkage
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Lesson Procedure
1.
Warm-up – What do you know about Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti? (Use Teacher
Background to discuss this area in Africa)
2.
Vocabulary Review:
a.
Kingdom: Area ruled by an inherited ruler, often a king or queen
b.
Civilization: A society that has the following characteristics – produces a surplus
of food; establishes towns or cities with some form of government; division of
labor.
c.
Empire: Form of government in which an individual or a single people rules over
many other peoples and their territory
3.
Guided Practice: Hand out the timeline activity. Have students:
a.
Read the events silently and number them in chronological order.
b.
Reread events and circle key verbs in each.
c.
Hold a class discussion of the events, noting how they relate to the definition of a
civilization
4.
Create the timeline. Complete first date with students as example. Have students
complete the activity and check together.
5.
Mapping Activity: Hand out student atlases and have students find the location of
historical Aksum. Describe current geographic features of the area (landforms, bodies of
water, climate, vegetation, natural resources)
a.
What might Aksum have been able to trade? (Using teacher background; if
possible provide students with actual Aksum trade materials.)
b.
Hand out the Mapping Activity and model the labeling activity (one label, one
arrow)
c.
Have students complete the mapping activity and questions
6.
Concluding Discussion:
a.
Discuss/correct the map and questions
b.
Discuss some of the factors that allowed Aksum to grow. (see teacher
background)
c.
Discuss some of the factors that led to the decline of Aksum.
Assessment of Activity:
Completion of timeline
Completion of mapping activity
Paragraph – compare rise and fall of Aksum to other civilizations/empires
Paragraph – what aspects of the decline of Aksum might be influencing this region of
the world today?
Adaptations:
Work in pairs
Fill dates in on timeline for students – students fill in events
Direct instruction for timeline and map activity
Label locations on map for students
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Extensions:
Research the ivory trade of 100 C.E. and compare it to the ivory trade of today. Why
has the ivory trade changed?
Follow the history of Christian Ethiopia from the fall of Aksum to present. What has
happened to this group?
Research the coinage of Aksum. How does a coinage system change a trading
system?
Compare the Aksum civilization to other civilizations of the time, for example, the
Maya. Why did the Aksum civilization fade away relatively quickly while the
Mayans continued to influence Central America until C.E. 1500’s?
Research the Aksum using the primary document, Inscription of Ezana, King of
Aksum, circa 325 C.E. Compare Aksum’s relationship with its trading partners to that
of the Mayan.
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Teacher Background
Some factors in the rise of Aksum:
Location – Blue Nile, Red Sea for trade
Forests – for charcoal used in metal work
Fertile soil – agriculture
Trade Goods – ivory, skins, metal work, emeralds, grains, slaves
Currency – first African currency outside of Roman sphere
Some factors in the decline of Aksum:
Movement of Persian Empire into the Arabian Peninsula
The expansion of Islam
Deforestation
Soil degradation
Movement of trade routes from Red Sea to Persian Gulf and east
Timeline Notes for the Aksum Civilization
c. 4
th
cnt. B.C.E-1
st
c. B.C.E. possible beginnings of Aksum and the Region
c. 1
st
cnt. BCE- the City of Aksum is established
c. mid 1
st
cnt. B.C.E.- the Ruler Zos(c)kales is established as King
c. 3
rd
cnt. C.E. -Aksum begins interfering in South Arabian affairs
c. late 3
rd
cnt.(270-610) C.E.-Aksum begins minting their own currency
c. 325-328 C.E.-By order of King Ezana, Aksum coverts to Christianity
c. 320-330 C.E.-Aksum begins using the symbol of the “Cross” on their
coinage
c. 350 C.E- Aksum conquures the Kingdom of Kush.
c. late 4
th
cnt. C.E.- Aksum controlled land in what is present day Northern
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Northern Sudan, Southern Egypt, Djibouti,
Western Somaliland, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia totaling around
1.25
million km2
c. 5
th
-6
th
cnt. C.E.- Aksum is believed to be a quasi-ally of Byzantium against
the Persian Empire—also beginning of their 2
nd
Golden Age
c. 6
th
cnt. C.E.- Due to economic isolation and the increase and spread of Islam,
the Kingdom of Aksum begins to decline
c. early 7
th
cnt. C.E.- Aksum ceases production of coins
c. 950 C.E.- Aksum dissolves with an invasion from the south of pagan or
Jewish peoples, possibly the Jewish Queen Gudit
c. 10
th
cnt. C.E.- Dark Ages begin
c. 11
th
-12
th
cnt. C.E.- Aksum civilization is replaced by the Zagwe Dynasty
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Interesting Facts About Ethiopia’s History and Current Affairs
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from
colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974,
a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and
established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive
refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in
1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late
in the 1990's ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is
currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring
it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure
independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by
water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are
believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least
2,000 years
Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP,
60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent
drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports
of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to
qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have
buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for
debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the
IMF voted to forgive Ethiopia's debt to the body. Under Ethiopia's land tenure system, the
government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to
hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for
loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal
weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth recover in 2004-06.
Ethiopia is the transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined
for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for
local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries);
the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering
center
Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional
4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)
Exports: $17.65 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Partners: Germany 15.5%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Djibouti 6.8%,
Switzerland 6.4%, Italy 5.9%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 4.2% (2005)
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Commodities: coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds
Imports: $4.105 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Partners: Saudi Arabia 14.7%, China 12.6%, US 12.4%, India 6.7%, Italy 4.6% (2005)
Commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,
machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles
Interesting Facts About Eritrea’s History and Current Affairs
Background Information: Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation.
Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for
independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces;
independence was overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year
border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000.
Eritrea currently hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that is monitoring a 25 km-wide Temporary
Security Zone on the border with Ethiopia. An international commission, organized to resolve
the border dispute, posted its findings in 2002. However, both parties have been unable to reach
agreement on implementing the decision. In November 2006, the international commission
informed Eritrea and Ethiopia they had one year to demarcate the border or the border
demarcation would be based on coordinates.
Geographic Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea
retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from
Ethiopia on 24 May 1993
Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Exports: $17.65 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Partners: Italy 31.4%, US 11.9%, Belarus 5.9%, France 5.1%, Germany 4.6%, Turkey
4.4%, UK 4% (2005)
Commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000)
Imports: $701.8 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Partners: Italy 15.1%, France 11.8%, US 9.5%, Germany 8.6%, Taiwan 7.3%, India 7%,
Ireland 6.1%, Turkey 4.4%, Jordan 4.2% (2005)
Commodities: machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Source: CIA World Fact Book (July 17, 2007)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Student Worksheet
Aksum Timeline Activity
Put the following events in chronological order starting with one for the earliest to eight for the most recent. Then complete the
timeline.
_____ Aksum completes conversion to Christianity, 330 C.E.
_____ King Kaleb of Aksum conquers Yemen, 525 C.E.
_____ Persians force Aksum out of Arabian Peninsula, 575 C.E.
_____ End of Aksum as capital city, 619 C.E.
_____ Evidence of Zoskales and city of Aksum, 50 C.E.
_____ Aksum Kingdom trade with Egypt, Arabia, Rome, India, 500 C.E.
_____ Coins minted in Aksum, 270 C.E.
_____ King Ezana of conquers Kingdom of Kush, 350 C.E.
I I I I I I I
25 C.E. 125 C.E. 225 C.E. 325 C.E. 425 C.E. 525 C.E. 625 C.E.
Michigan Geographic Alliance Aksum: No Questions
2007
Student Worksheet
Mapping Activity
You will be mapping the rise and decline of the Aksum Kingdom. You should have the
following materials to complete the activity:
1.
Your timeline worksheet
2.
Map of northeast Africa/southwest Asia (Aksum and Kush already labeled)
3.
Colored pencils
4.
Student atlas or book
Locate and label the following on your map with a brown pencil: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti,
Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Red Sea, Blue Nile, Nile, Gulf of Aden, Ethiopian
Highlands
Use the information on your timeline to complete the rest of the map activity.
Rise and Expansion of Aksum
Using a red pencil, draw arrows from Aksum to areas/countries conquered by Aksum. Label the
appropriate date.
Using a green pencil, draw arrows from Aksum to the areas/countries, or in the direction of the
areas/countries, that traded with Aksum. Label the appropriate date.
Decline of Aksum
Using a purple pencil, draw arrows back to Aksum showing the effect of Persia on Aksum trade.
Label the arrow with the appropriate date.
Using a black pencil, draw an “X” over Aksum and Kush, and label the date each moved or fell.
Map Thinking Questions: When you are finished with your map, complete the following
questions in complete sentences.
What did Aksum gain by conquering Kush?
List ways the Aksum civilization’s location helped in their development of trade.
Looking at the map, list some possible means of transportation/trade.
How did trade affect the development of the Aksum civilization?
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